Display device for beverage pitcher or coffee machine

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is disclosed comprising a display device or indicator device and a timer circuit. The display device can be placed in a first or a second state. In the first state the display device provides a first visual indication of a first type of beverage which is within a beverage receptacle. In the second state the display device provides a second visual indication of a second type of beverage which is within the beverage pitcher. The timer circuit, automatically, after a certain period of time, may change the indicator device from the first or second state to a third state in which the indicator device does not provide a visual indication of the type of beverage within a beverage container.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus concerningproviding signs or symbols to indicate the contents of beveragepitchers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,696 to Koncelik discloses an indicator device whichprovides an indication of whether coffee which has been prepared isdecaffeinated or non-decaffeinated. After an operator has set theindicator device to, for example, “decafe”, the indicator device remainsin a state which indicates “decafe” until the indicator device ischanged by an individual.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in one or more embodiments provides an apparatuscomprising a timer circuit, and an indicator or display device whichcommunicates with the timer circuit. The indicator device can be placedin a first or second state by an operator. In the first state theindicator device provides a first visual indication of a first type ofbeverage within a beverage receptacle. In the second state the indicatordevice provides a second visual indication of a second type of beveragewithin the beverage receptacle, wherein the second type of beveragediffers from the first type of beverage.

The timer circuit can be programmed to automatically change theindicator device after a certain period of time, from the first orsecond state to a third state, wherein in the third state, the indicatordevice no longer provides a visual indication of what type of beverageis within the beverage receptacle. The beverage receptacle may be acoffee pot or a coffee machine. The first type of beverage may benon-decaffeinated coffee, and the second type of beverage may bedecaffeinated coffee. The timer circuit and the indicator device can beattached or detached from a coffee machine.

The first visual indication may be a designation of the first type ofbeverage and may be comprised of least one alphanumeric character. Thesecond visual indication may be a designation of the second type ofbeverage and may be comprised of at least one alphanumeric character.

The indicator device may be comprised of a first light under a firstdesignation which indicates decaffeinated coffee, and a second lightunder a second designation which indicates non decaffeinated coffee. Thefirst light may be part of a first push button which can be pushed in tolight the first light to indicate that decaffeinated coffee has beenmade. The second light may be part of a second push button which can bepushed in to light the second light to indicate that non decaffeinatedcoffee has been made. The indicator device may be comprised of a firstlight which is able to emit either a first or a second color light. Thefirst light may emit the first color light when the coffee machine hasmade decaffeinated coffee and the first light may emit the second colorlight when the coffee machine has made non decaffeinated coffee.

The indicator device may include an electronic digital display whichdisplays whether coffee which has been made by a coffee machine is nondecaffeinated or decaffeinated. The indicator device may further includea first push button which when pushed in causes the electronic digitaldisplay to toggle from displaying an indication that the coffee isdecaffeinated to displaying an indication that the coffee is nondecaffeinated.

A method is also provided comprising fixing an indicator device and atimer circuit on a coffee machine, wherein the indicator device can beplaced into a first state or a second state by an operator. When theindicator device is placed in a first state, the indicator deviceprovides a first visual indication of a first type of beverage which iswithin a coffee receptacle. When the indicator device is placed in asecond state the indicator device provides a second visual indication ofa second type of beverage which is within the coffee receptable. Thetimer circuit, after a certain period of time, may cause the indicatordevice to automatically change from the first or second state to a thirdstate in which the indicator device does not indicate what type ofbeverage is within the coffee receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a coffee machine in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention including an indicator or display device showing alight under a designation to indicate whether coffee which has beenprepared in a coffee pot is regular or decaffeinated;

FIG. 2 shows a coffee machine in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention including an indicator or display device showingonly a light, which may be one of two colors, to indicate whether coffeewhich has been prepared in a coffee pot is regular or decaffeinated;

FIG. 3 shows a coffee machine in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention having an indicator or display device whichincludes a push button and a electronic digital display to indicatewhether coffee which has been prepared in a coffee pot is regular ordecaffeinated and a coffee pot;

FIG. 4 shows a commercial electric coffee machine including a spigot inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention having anindicator or display device to indicate whether coffee which has beenprepared is regular or decaffeinated; and

FIG. 5 shows a backing of the display device of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a coffee machine 1 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention including an indicator device 17. The coffee machine 1includes an extension 10, portions 12, 14, 16, indicator device 18,control panel 22, power cord 25 (shown partially) which may beelectrically connected to a power outlet, base 24, and legs 26 and 28.The coffee machine 1 may be similar to or identical to known availablecoffee machines, such as “Mr. Coffee” (Trademarked) except for someadditional components which will be described. FIG. 1 also shows acoffee pot 50 having an opening 52 for receiving coffee from the coffeemachine 1, a handle 54 and a receptacle 56 in which the coffee isstored.

The indicator device 17 includes push button lights 18 and 20 which areunder designation “Decaf” 18a and “Coffee” 20a respectively. The pushbutton lights 18 and 20 are both toggle switches and as such if they areturned off, they will light up when pushed, and if they are turned on,they will turn off when pushed in.

If an individual has made decaffeinated coffee in the coffee pot 50 theymay cause the push button light 18 to light and cause the push buttonlight 20 to stay off. Thus light 18 is lit under designation 18a for“Decaf”. If an individual has made regular coffee in the coffee pot 50they may cause the push button light 20 to turn off and cause the pushbutton light 18 to stay on. Thus light 20 is lit under designation 18afor “Coffee”. In this way, any person who wants to have a cup of coffeefrom the coffee pot 50 will know whether it is coffee (i.e. regularnon-decaffeinated coffee) or decaffeinated coffee.

The push button lights 18 and 20 will also turn off when turned off by atimer circuit 30. The timer circuit 30 is electrically connected to theindicator device 17 by bus 30a. The timer circuit 30 may also beelectrically connected to a hot plate device 32. The hot plate device 32may provide a signal to the timer circuit 30 when the hot plate device32 is not longer heating the coffe pot 50. In response to such a signalthe timer circuit 30 may send a signal via bus 30a to turn off bothlights 18 and 20, if they are on. When the decaffeinated push buttonlight 18 is pushed the light 18 goes on. In addition, a signal may besent to the timer circuit 30 starting a timer, such as a one hour timer.After an hour, the timer circuit 30 may send a signal via bus 30a to theindicator device 17 which will turn off the light 18.

FIG. 2 shows a coffee machine 100 in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention including an indicator device 118 which is onlya light in this example and which may emit one of two colors, toindicate whether coffee which has been prepared in a coffee pot 150 isregular or decaffeinated. The coffee machine 100 may be similar tocoffee machine 1 except to the difference between indicator device 17and indicator device 118, and other differences which will be described.Coffee machine 100 includes an extension 110, portions 112, 114, 116,indicator device 118, control panel 122, power cord 125 (shownpartially) which may be electrically connected to a power outlet, base124, and legs 126 and 128. FIG. 2 also shows a coffee pot 150 having anopening 152 for receiving coffee from the coffee machine 100, a handle154 and a receptacle 156 in which the coffee is stored.

The indicator device 118 is a push button single light which can betoggled to emit either a green color light, a red color light, or toemit no light at all, i.e. be turned off. An individual can use, forexample, green to indicate that Decaffeinated coffee has been made incoffee pot 150 and red to indicate that regular coffee has been made incoffee pot 150.

The coffee machine also includes a timer circuit 130 and a hot plate132. The timer circuit 130 is electrically connected to the indicatordevice 118 via bus 130a. The timer circuit 130 is also electricallyconnected to the hot plate 132 via bus 132a.

In operation, after an individual pushes the push button 118 to, forexample, light a green color, the timer circuit 130 may be sent a signalfrom the button 118 to cause, for example, a one hour timer to start.After the one hour timer expires, the timer circuit 130 may send asignal to the button 118, via bus 130a, which will cause the button togo dark, i.e. be turned off.

The timer circuit 130 may also receive a signal from the hot plate 132,indicating that the hot plate 132 has turned off. The timer circuit 130in response to the hot plate 132 turning off, may send a signal to thebutton 118, to turn the light of the button 118 off.

FIG. 3 shows a coffee machine 200 in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention having an indicator device 217 which includes apush button 219 and a electronic digital display 218 to indicate whethercoffee which has been prepared in a coffee pot 250 is regular ordecaffeinated. The coffee machine 200 may be identical to coffee machine100 except for the difference between indicator device 118 and theindicator device 217. Coffee machine 200 includes an extension 210,portions 212, 214, 216, indicator device 217, control panel 222, powercord 225 (shown partially) which may be electrically connected to apower outlet, base 224, and legs 226 and 228. FIG. 3 also shows a coffeepot 250 having an opening 252 for receiving coffee from the coffeemachine 200, a handle 254 and a receptacle 256 in which the coffee isstored.

An individual can set the electronic digital display 218 to a “Decaf”218a designation as in FIG. 3 by pressing the push button 219 a certainnumber of times. When the push button 219 is next pressed thedesignation on the digital display 218 may turn to a “Coffee”designation. The push button 219 may be a toggle switch which togglesthe “Decaf” and “Coffee” designations on the display 218.

The coffee machine 200 may also include a timing circuit 230 which maybe electrically connected to the indicator device 217 by a bus 230a. Thecoffee machine 200 may also include a hot plate 232 which may beelectrically connected to the timing circuit 230 by bus 232a.

In operation, after an individual pushes the push button 219 to, forexample, cause the word “Decafe” to appear on the display 218, the timercircuit 230 may be sent a signal from the button 219 and/or indicatordevice 217 to cause, for example, a one hour timer to start. After theone hour timer expires, the timer circuit 230 may send a signal to thedigital display 218, via bus 230a, which may cause the digital display218 to go dark, to show a blank screen, or to indicate in some other waythat the time has expired and that type of coffee can either no longerbe determined or the indication of the type of coffee must be verifiedor updated.

The timer circuit 230 may also receive a signal from the hot plate 232,indicating that the hot plate 232 has been turned off. The hot plate 232may be used to heat coffee pot 250. The timer circuit 130 in response tothe hot plate 232 turning off, may send a signal to the digital display218 via bus 232a to turn the digital display 218 to go dark, to show ablank screen, or to indicate in some other way that the time has expiredand that the type of coffee can either no longer be determined or theindication of the type of coffee must be verified or updated.

FIG. 4 shows a commercial electric coffee machine 300 in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention. The machine 300 includesreceptacle 304, spigot switch 314, spigot 316, power cord 312 forconnecting to an electrical outlet, base 306, legs 308 and 310, anddisplay device or indicator device 350. The display device or indicatordevice 350 may be detachable from the rest of coffee machine 300. Thedisplay device or indicator device 350 may include a digital display 318and a button 319. The display device 350 may further include a timercircuit 330 electrically connected to the digital display 318 by a bus330a. The display device 350 may function similar to the device 217 andtimer circuit 230 shown in FIG. 3. Instead of the display device 350,the timer circuit 30 and device 17 can be used or the timer circuit 130and the button 118 can be used.

The spigot switch 314, when pressed downwards in a direction D, allowscoffee to flow from the receptacle 304 through the spigot 316 and out ofthe coffee machine 300. The machine 300 may be similar to those known inthe art with the exception of indicator device 350. The indicator device350 may be provided or sold separately. The indicator device 350 mayinclude an adhesive backing for attaching or detaching the indicatordevice 350 to or from the machine 300. The indicator device 350 mayinclude a “Decafe” designation 318a which is shown and a “coffee”designation which is not shown. The indicator device 350 can be fixed tothe receptacle 304 and part of the machine 300.

FIG. 10 shows a backside 350b of the display device 350 of FIG. 4. Thebackside is made of an adhesive material which can stick to, forexample, machine 300 in FIG. 4, to temporarily attach the device 350 tomachine 300.

The timer circuit 30 and/or device 17 of FIG. 1, timer circuit 130and/or button 118 of FIG. 2, or the timer circuit 230 and/or device 317of FIG. 3, could take the place of, a warmer light on an automaticcoffee pot. Thus, when the person making the coffee pushes a button thatsays “coffee” two things would happen—the warmer plate, such as warmeror hot plate 32 of FIG. 1 would go on, and a light, such as light 20would go on lighting up the words, “Coffee” or providing a light underthe word “Coffee”. The timer circuits 30, 130, and 230 can be programmedthrough control panel 22, 122, and 222, via busses 22a, 122a, and 222a,respectively, to cause the devices 17, 118, and 317, respectively, to goout after a set time—a time that can be programed in by the user. Thecontrol panels 22, 122, and 222 may include a keypad for data entry. Thetimer circuits 30, 130, and 230 can also be programmed to cause thedevices 17, 118, and 317, respectively to go off when the warmer or hotplates 32, 132, and 232, respectively, go off.

By having the selection display go out after a certain amount of time,the coffee user will always be assured that each time a new pot is made,the maker would have had to affirmatively select either decafe or Coffeeor perhaps decafe/coffee mix if that is what is contained in the pot.

Although the invention has been described by reference to particularillustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of theinvention may become apparent to those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to include within this patent all such changes andmodifications as may reasonably and properly be included within thescope of the present invention's contribution to the art.

1. An apparatus comprising a timer circuit; and an indicator devicewhich communicates with the timer circuit; wherein the indicator devicecan be placed in a first or second state by an operator; wherein in thefirst state the indicator device provides a first visual indication of afirst type of beverage within a beverage receptacle; wherein in thesecond state the indicator device provides a second visual indication ofa second type of beverage within the beverage receptacle, wherein thesecond type of beverage differs from the first type of beverage; andwherein the timer circuit can be programmed to automatically change theindicator device after a certain period of time from the first or secondstate to a third state, wherein in the third state, the indicator deviceno longer provides a visual indication of what type of beverage iswithin the beverage receptacle.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thefirst type of beverage is non-decaffeinated coffee; and the second typeof beverage is decaffeinated coffee.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 whereinthe timer circuit and the indicator device can be attached or detachedfrom a coffee machine.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the firstvisual indication is a designation of the first type of beverage and iscomprised of least one alphanumeric character; and the second visualindication is a designation of the second type of beverage and iscomprised of at least one alphanumeric character.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the beverage receptacle is a coffee pot.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 5 wherein the first type of beverage is decaffeinatedcoffee; and the second type of beverage is non decaffeinated coffee. 7.The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the indicator device comprises a firstlight under a first designation which indicates decaffeinated coffee;and a second light under a second designation which indicates nondecaffeinated coffee.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the firstlight is part of a first push button which can be pushed in to light thefirst light to indicate that decaffeinated coffee has been made; and thesecond light is part of a second push button which can be pushed in tolight the second light to indicate that non decaffeinated coffee hasbeen made.
 9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the indicator devicecomprises a first light which is able to emit either a first or a secondcolor light; and wherein the first light emits the first color lightwhen the coffee machine has made decaffeinated coffee and the firstlight emits the second color light when the coffee machine has made nondecaffeinated coffee.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the firstlight is part of a first push button which can be pushed in to light thefirst light and to toggle the first light from emitting a first colorlight to emitting a second color light.
 11. The apparatus of claim 2wherein the indicator device includes an electronic digital displaywhich displays whether coffee which has been made by the coffee machineis non decaffeinated or decaffeinated.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11wherein the indicator device includes a first push button which whenpushed in causes the electronic digital display to toggle fromdisplaying an indication that the coffee is decaffeinated to displayingan indication that the coffee is non decaffeinated.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 2 further comprising the coffee machine which includes a spigotthrough which coffee can flow; and wherein the coffee machine includes aspigot switch for allowing coffee to flow from the coffee machinethrough the spigot.
 14. A method comprising the steps of fixing anindicator device and a timer circuit on a coffee machine; wherein theindicator device can be placed into a first state or a second state byan operator; wherein when the indicator device is placed in a firststate the indicator device provides a first visual indication of a firsttype of beverage which is within a coffee receptacle; wherein when thedisplay device is placed in a second state the indicator device providesa second visual indication of a second type of beverage which is withinthe coffee receptable; and wherein the first and second type ofbeverages differ and the first and second visual indications differ; andwherein the timer circuit, after a certain period of time, causes theindicator device to automatically change from the first or second stateto a third state in which the indicator device does not indicate whattype of beverage is within the coffee receptacle.
 15. The method ofclaim 14 wherein the first type of beverage is decaffeinated coffee; andthe second type of beverage is non decaffeinated coffee.
 16. The methodof claim 14 wherein the first visual indication is a designation of thefirst type of beverage and is comprised of least one alphanumericcharacter; and the second visual indication is a designation of thesecond type of beverage and is comprised of at least one alphanumericcharacter.
 17. An apparatus for indicating a type of beverage in abeverage receptacle removable from the apparatus, the apparatuscomprising: a timer circuit; and an indicator device which communicateswith the timer circuit; wherein the indicator device can be placed in afirst or second state by an operator; wherein in the first state theindicator device provides a first visual indication of a first type ofbeverage within the beverage receptacle; wherein in the second state theindicator device provides a second visual indication of a second type ofbeverage within the beverage receptacle; wherein the second type ofbeverage differs from the first type of beverage; and wherein the timercircuit changes the indicator device from the first state or secondstate to a third state in which the apparatus no longer provides avisual indication of what type of beverage is within the beveragereceptacle, after a predetermined period of time after the beverage hasbeen prepared for use by a machine, such that, during the predeterminedperiod of time, a subsequent user of the apparatus is informed of thebeverage type.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first type ofbeverage is non-decaffeinated coffee; and the second type of beverage isdecaffeinated coffee.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the timercircuit and the indicator device can be attached or detached from themachine.
 20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the indicator devicecomprises a first light which is able to emit either a first or a secondcolor light; and wherein the first light emits the first color lightwhen the machine has made decaffeinated coffee and the first light emitsthe second color light when the machine has made non decaffeinatedcoffee.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the first light is part ofa first push button which can be pushed in to light the first light andto toggle the first light from emitting a first color light to emittinga second color light.
 22. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the firstvisual indication is a designation of the first type of beverage and iscomprised of least one alphanumeric character; and the second visualindication is a designation of the second type of beverage and iscomprised of at least one alphanumeric character.
 23. The apparatus ofclaim 17 wherein the beverage receptacle is a coffee pot.
 24. Theapparatus of claim 23 wherein the first type of beverage isdecaffeinated coffee; and the second type of beverage is nondecaffeinated coffee.
 25. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein theindicator device comprises a first light under a first designation whichindicates decaffeinated coffee; and a second light under a seconddesignation which indicates non decaffeinated coffee.
 26. The apparatusof claim 25 wherein the first light is part of a first push button whichcan be pushed in to light the first light to indicate that decaffeinatedcoffee has been made; and the second light is part of a second pushbutton which can be pushed in to light the second light to indicate thatnon decaffeinated coffee has been made.
 27. The apparatus of claim 18wherein the indicator device includes an electronic digital displaywhich displays whether coffee which has been made by the machine is nondecaffeinated or decaffeinated.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27 whereinthe indicator device includes a first push button which when pushed incauses the electronic digital display to toggle from displaying anindication that the coffee is decaffeinated to displaying an indicationthat the coffee is non decaffeinated.
 29. The apparatus of claim 18,wherein the predetermined time is about an hour.
 30. A method forindicating a type of beverage in a coffee receptacle, the methodcomprising the steps of: fixing an indicator device and a timer circuiton a coffee machine; wherein the indicator device can be placed into afirst state or a second state by an operator; wherein the coffeereceptacle is removable from the coffee machine; wherein when theindicator device is placed in a first state the indicator deviceprovides a first visual indication of a first type of beverage which iswithin the coffee receptacle; wherein when the display device is placedin a second state the indicator device provides a second visualindication of a second type of beverage which is within the coffeereceptacle; and wherein the first and second type of beverages differand the first and second visual indications differ; and wherein thetimer circuit, after a predetermined period of time, causes theindicator device to automatically change from the first or second stateto a third state in which there is no indication as to what type ofbeverage is within the coffee receptacle; wherein, during thepredetermined period of time, a subsequent user of the apparatus isinformed of the beverage type after the beverage has been prepared foruse by the coffee machine.
 31. The method of claim 30 wherein the firsttype of beverage is decaffeinated coffee; and the second type ofbeverage is non decaffeinated coffee.
 32. The method of claim 30 whereinthe first visual indication is a designation of the first type ofbeverage and is comprised of least one alphanumeric character; and thesecond visual indication is a designation of the second type of beverageand is comprised of at least one alphanumeric character.
 33. The methodof claim 30, wherein the coffee machine comprises a hot plateelectrically connected to the timer circuit; such that when the hotplate is turned off, the timer circuit changes the indicator device tothe third state.
 34. A method for indicating a type of beverage in acoffee receptacle, the method comprising the steps of: fixing anindicator device and a timer circuit on a coffee machine; and sending asignal from the indicator device to the timer circuit to start a timer;wherein the indicator device can be placed into a first state or asecond state by an operator; wherein the coffee receptacle is removablefrom the coffee machine; wherein when the indicator device is placed ina first state the indicator device provides a first visual indication ofa first type of beverage which is within the coffee receptacle; whereinwhen the display device is placed in a second state the indicator deviceprovides a second visual indication of a second type of beverage whichis within the coffee receptacle; and wherein the first and second typeof beverages differ and the first and second visual indications differ;and wherein the timer circuit, after a predetermined period of time onthe timer has elapsed, sends a signal to the indicator device to causethe indicator device to automatically change from the first or secondstate to a third state in which the indicator device does not indicatewhat type of beverage is within the coffee receptacle, the predeterminedperiod of time being chosen such that a subsequent user of the apparatusis informed of the beverage type after the beverage has been preparedfor use by the coffee machine.
 35. An apparatus for indicating a type ofbeverage in a beverage receptacle removable from the apparatus, theapparatus comprising: a timer circuit; and an indicator device whichcommunicates with the timer circuit; wherein the indicator device can beplaced in a first or second state by an operator; wherein the first orsecond state is selected before a machine makes the beverage ready foruse; wherein in the first state the indicator device provides a firstvisual indication of a first type of beverage within the beveragereceptacle; wherein in the second state the indicator device provides asecond visual indication of a second type of beverage within thebeverage receptacle, wherein the second type of beverage differs fromthe first type of beverage; wherein the timer circuit is programmed sothat the indicator device remains in the first or second state for apredetermined period of time that is after the machine has made thebeverage ready for use; wherein after the predetermined time theindicator device automatically changes from the first or second state toa third state; and wherein in the third state, the apparatus no longerprovides a visual indication of what type of beverage is within thebeverage receptacle.
 36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the firststate or the second state is selected when the operator makes thebeverage with use of the machine.
 37. A method for indicating a type ofbeverage in a coffee receptacle, the method comprising the steps of:fixing an indicator device and a timer circuit on a coffee machine;wherein the coffee receptacle is removable from the coffee machine;wherein the indicator device can be placed into a first state or asecond state by an operator; wherein the first and second type ofbeverages differ and the first and second visual indications differ;wherein the first or second state is selected before the coffee machinemakes the beverage ready for use; wherein when the indicator device isplaced in a first state the indicator device provides a first visualindication of a first type of beverage which is within the coffeereceptacle; wherein when the indicator device is placed in a secondstate the indicator device provides a second visual indication of asecond type of beverage which is within the coffee receptacle; andwherein the timer circuit is programmed so that the indicator deviceremains in the first or second state for a predetermined period of timethat is after the coffee machine has made the beverage ready for use;wherein after the predetermined time the indicator device automaticallychanges from the first or second state to a third state; wherein, in thethird state, there is no indication as to what type of beverage iswithin the coffee receptacle.
 38. The method of claim 37 wherein thefirst state or the second state is selected when the operator makes thecoffee using the coffee machine.
 39. An apparatus for indicating a typeof beverage in a beverage receptacle removable from the apparatus, theapparatus comprising: a timer circuit; and an indicator device whichcommunicates with the timer circuit; wherein the indicator device can beplaced in a first or second state by an operator; wherein the first orsecond state is selected before a machine makes the beverage ready foruse; wherein in the first state the indicator device provides a firstvisual indication of a first type of beverage within the beveragereceptacle; wherein in the second state the indicator device provides asecond visual indication of a second type of beverage within thebeverage receptacle, wherein the second type of beverage differs fromthe first type of beverage; wherein the timer circuit is programmed sothat the indicator device remains in the first or second state for apredetermined period of time that is after the machine has made thebeverage that is in the receptacle ready for use; wherein after thepredetermined time the indicator device automatically changes from thefirst or second state to a third state; wherein in the third state, theapparatus no longer provides a visual indication of what type ofbeverage is within the beverage receptacle.
 40. The apparatus of claim39 wherein the first state or the second state is selected when theoperator makes the beverage using the machine.
 41. A method forindicating a type of beverage in a coffee receptacle, the methodcomprising the steps of: fixing an indicator device and a timer circuiton a coffee machine; and sending a signal from the indicator device tothe timer circuit to start a timer; wherein the indicator device can beplaced into a first state or a second state by an operator; wherein thefirst or second state is selected before the coffee machine makes thebeverage ready for use; wherein the coffee receptacle is removable fromthe coffee machine; wherein when the indicator device is placed in afirst state the indicator device provides a first visual indication of afirst type of beverage which is within the coffee receptacle; whereinwhen the indicator device is placed in a second state the indicatordevice provides a second visual indication of a second type of beveragewhich is within the coffee receptacle; and wherein the first and secondtype of beverages differ and the first and second visual indicationsdiffer; wherein the timer circuit is programmed so that the indicatordevice remains in the first or second state for a predetermined periodof time that is after the coffee machine has made the beverage ready foruse; wherein the timer sends a signal to the indicator device to causethe indicator device to automatically change from the first state or thesecond state to a third state; wherein, in the third state there is novisual indication of what type of beverage is within the coffeereceptacle.
 42. An apparatus for indicating a type of beverage in abeverage receptacle removable from the apparatus, the apparatuscomprising: a timer circuit; and an indicator device which communicateswith the timer circuit; wherein the indicator device can be placed in afirst or second state by an operator; wherein the first or second stateis selected before the machine makes the beverage ready for use; whereinin the first state the indicator device provides a first visualindication of a first type of beverage within the beverage receptacleafter the machine has made the beverage; wherein in the second state theindicator device provides a second visual indication of a second type ofbeverage within the beverage receptacle after the machine has made thebeverage; wherein the second type of beverage differs from the firsttype of beverage; wherein the timer circuit is programmed so that theindicator device remains in the first or second state for apredetermined period of time that is after the machine has made thebeverage ready for use; wherein after the predetermined time theindicator device automatically changes from the first or second state toa third state; and wherein in the third state, the apparatus no longerprovides a visual indication of what type of beverage is within thebeverage receptacle.
 43. A method for indicating a type of beverage in acoffee receptacle, the method comprising the steps of: fixing anindicator device and a timer circuit on a coffee machine; wherein thecoffee receptacle is removable from the coffee machine; wherein theindicator device can be placed into a first state or a second state byan operator; wherein the indicator device is placed in the first orsecond state before the beverage is made by the machine; wherein, in thefirst state the indicator device provides a first visual indication ofthe first type of beverage which is within the coffee receptacle;wherein, in the second state the indicator device provides a secondvisual indication of a second type of beverage which is within thecoffee receptacle; wherein the first and second type of beverages differand the first and second visual indications differ; and wherein thetimer circuit changes the indicator device from the first or secondstate to a third state in which there is no indication as to what typeof beverage is within the coffee receptacle, after a predeterminedperiod of time after the beverage has been prepared for use by thecoffee machine, such that, during the predetermined period of time, asubsequent user of the apparatus is informed of the beverage type.